Simple Weight Loss - How to Beat Food Cravings

All people suffer from food cravings. And what exactly is a craving? Well a craving is a terrible desire for a specific type of food, typically to satisfy one's palate, not just to satisfy hunger. You may find your daily or weekly craving is felt for sugary sweets like candy, or chocolate. For others it may be a craving for fatty potato chips or an extra glass of beer.

But, don't fret. The occasional craving is not a problem, in fact, in some cases it is actually a positive experience. Later on, when you have been good with your eating habits you can indulge your cravings, satisfying those needs or desires as a reward for all of your hard work. The trick lies in not allowing yourself to become constantly overwhelmed by your cravings and give in too often.

What lies at the heart of your cravings? You may think that your bad habits are responsible for this craving, or that you have very little will power. Although, these may be partially at fault, this doesn't tell the whole story. Food cravings are also biologically based. In order to beat the food craving we must understand these underlying reasons.

Your Reasons For Craving Food

Blood Sugar & Serotonin

If you are exhausted or feel depressed your body's natural reason for this is low levels of blood sugar. In response your brain signals that it needs something to raise your blood sugar levels. This very natural pattern is at the base of your craving for sugar or carbohydrates. Additionally, another chemical reaction that causes your cravings involves Serotonin, our bodies' feel-good hormone. When your body has a low level of Serotonin it tries to compensate by forcing you to ingest sugar or carbs to raise blood sugar and Serotonin levels.

But carbohydrates (such as sugar) only release a short burst of serotonin, quickly fading after being ingested and digested; when Serotonin levels and blood sugar levels fall back down, the craving returns.

But, there is another major reason why beating your cravings is so hard (and why they show up in the first place)!

Adrenal Fatigue

If you are stressed, not received a restful night sleep, or are just plain tired for no specific reason you are most likely suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal Fatigue, much like the process outlined above, involves your body sending a signal to the brain for a pick-me-up and that is your craving for sugar or carbohydrate snacks, or may be, coffee during the day; at night you may look for alcohol or carbohydrates. All of this only makes the problem worse.

Beating the craving

If you appreciate the basic reasons for the craving, then beating the food craving can be done. It may take a little time but it can be done. To break food cravings, the body needs healthy foods, additional nutritional supplements at times; this and moderate exercise can help curb cravings. This process may take some time, but you will succeed.

Learn more about weight loss and how to beat your cravings.

Zachary Katkin is the founder of Naples Web Design Firm, Atilus. Zach can be contacted via the company's web site at http://www.atilus.com.